ERP 506: Regulate Your Body, Transform Your Bond: The Habit Science Behind Healthy Love — An Interview with Hadlee Garrison
Empowered Relationship Podcast: Your Relationship Resource And Guide
Release Date: 12/09/2025
ERP 511: From Protection to Connection: Healing Shame and Building Secure Connection — An Interview with Dr. Arielle Schwartz
Empowered Relationship Podcast: Your Relationship Resource And Guide
Have you ever wondered why, in the moments you crave connection the most, you suddenly find yourself pulling back or feeling unworthy of love? It’s a confusing cycle—wanting deep intimacy yet stumbling over old shame and protective patterns that keep you at arm’s length from those who matter most. The echoes of our early relationships can linger, quietly shaping the way we trust, open up, and even interpret simple gestures of kindness. Left unspoken and unexplored, these internal beliefs can create barriers to the very closeness we long for. In this episode, listeners are invited to take...
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ERP 510: The Last 8%: How to Have the Conversations That Matter Most in Your Relationship — An Interview with Bill Benjamin
Empowered Relationship Podcast: Your Relationship Resource And Guide
Ever notice that it’s not the everyday conversations or simple disagreements that shape the quality of a relationship—it’s those high-stakes moments, the tough talks that feel risky and uncomfortable, that truly define the connection. Far too often, we skirt around what really needs to be said, trading short-term relief for long-term regret. Whether it’s at work or at home, these avoided discussions can lead to resentment, disconnection, and a sense of self-abandonment. In this episode, listeners will dive deep into understanding why we tend to avoid these “last 8%” conversations,...
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ERP 509: When Ambition Costs Connection: How Overachievers Can Find Healthy, Aligned Love — An Interview with Keren Eldad
Empowered Relationship Podcast: Your Relationship Resource And Guide
Are you chasing every gold star, climbing every ladder, and nailing every “right” mark—only to find yourself missing out on real fulfillment and meaningful connection? The relentless pursuit of achievement can sometimes leave us feeling lonely, disconnected from ourselves, and trapped in relationships that don’t truly nourish our hearts. When ambition runs amok, the cost may be far greater than just burnout or missed vacation days—it can lead to self-abandonment and relationships that feel more like a cage than a home. In this episode, you’ll discover how overachievement and...
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ERP 508: The Power of Collaboration: Building Trust and Connection in Love and Life — An Interview with Leslie Grossman
Empowered Relationship Podcast: Your Relationship Resource And Guide
In a world that often glorifies rugged individualism, finding real connection and mutual growth with others can feel elusive, especially when it comes to our closest relationships. The secret ingredient might just be what so many overlook: genuine collaboration—both at home and beyond. What if the key to thriving wasn’t “doing it all yourself,” but learning how to truly work together? In this episode, you’ll discover how building circles of collaboration can transform your personal relationships, family dynamics, and even your broader social and professional connections. Through...
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ERP 507: The Power of Attention: How to Access What Really Matters in Moments of Conflict — An Interview with Dana Caspersen
Empowered Relationship Podcast: Your Relationship Resource And Guide
Why do the smallest disagreements with loved ones sometimes feel like the fiercest battles? Conflict in relationships often spirals into unproductive cycles of attack and defense, leaving us stuck, misunderstood, and further apart from the connection we crave. We rush to defend, strategize, and fix—yet rarely pause long enough to truly understand what matters beneath the surface. In this episode, listeners are invited to explore powerful strategies for breaking the cycle of reactivity and shifting attention toward curiosity, clarity, and genuine understanding. Through personal stories,...
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ERP 506: Regulate Your Body, Transform Your Bond: The Habit Science Behind Healthy Love — An Interview with Hadlee Garrison
Empowered Relationship Podcast: Your Relationship Resource And Guide
Ever feel like your to-do list is running your life and you barely have any energy left for what matters most—like connecting with loved ones or just enjoying the moment? In our fast-paced world, we often believe productivity comes from pushing ourselves harder, burning the candle at both ends, and tackling more tasks. But what if the key to a happier, healthier life starts before you even get to your goals and conversations—right in the foundation of your daily rhythms and body awareness? In this episode, you’ll discover why tuning into your body’s core needs is the missing link for...
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ERP 505: Money Wounds in Love: Healing the Hidden Stories Behind Your Spending and Saving — An Interview with Shari Rash
Empowered Relationship Podcast: Your Relationship Resource And Guide
When was the last time you felt a sinking feeling just thinking about money? For many, money is far more than just numbers in a bank account—it's tangled up with our emotions, childhood experiences, and even our closest relationships. All too often, conversations around money get swept under the rug, leaving us to battle our financial stress and shame alone. But what if unraveling these hidden money wounds is the key to building stronger connections—with ourselves and with others? In this episode, listeners are invited to reimagine their relationship with money and begin addressing the...
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ERP 504: Loving Through Estrangement: How Couples Can Heal, Support & Stay Connected — An Interview with Dr. Rachel Glik
Empowered Relationship Podcast: Your Relationship Resource And Guide
Navigating the complexities of family dynamics can sometimes feel like walking a tightrope—especially when relationships between parents and adult children become strained or even break down completely. Family estrangement is an increasingly common challenge that can leave everyone involved feeling isolated, misunderstood, and in deep pain. When communication falters and generational differences collide, how do we find a path toward empathy, healing, and growth? In this episode, listeners are invited into a heartfelt exploration of adult child-parent estrangement, its underlying causes, and...
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503: How to Feel Safe in Love: Healing Attachment Wounds and Building Secure Relationships — An Interview with Jessica Baum
Empowered Relationship Podcast: Your Relationship Resource And Guide
Many of us move through life repeating the same painful relationship patterns—feeling unsafe, unseen, or disconnected, even when we’re trying our hardest to “do everything right.” Invisible wounds from early experiences quietly shape the ways we love, cope, and relate as adults. Instead of recognizing these patterns as natural adaptations, we often turn the blame inward, not realizing that our attachment styles and protective behaviors are rooted in the body and nervous system as much as the mind. Real healing isn’t about forcing change or consuming endless self-help advice—it’s...
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ERP 502: Beyond Fear and Control: Building Emotional Flexibility in Relationships — An Interview with Dr. Patricia Zurita Ona
Empowered Relationship Podcast: Your Relationship Resource And Guide
Are you letting anxiety and the need to play it safe hold you hostage in your relationships and personal growth? Too often, fear—of rejection, failure, or the unknown—becomes the invisible fence shaping our actions. Perfectionism, procrastination, overthinking, and the constant urge to avoid discomfort can shrink our lives, leaving us disconnected from our true selves and the people we care about most. In this episode, we explore how fear influences perfectionism, anxiety, and avoidance in our relationships and daily lives. Discover compassionate approaches to working with...
info_outlineEver feel like your to-do list is running your life and you barely have any energy left for what matters most—like connecting with loved ones or just enjoying the moment? In our fast-paced world, we often believe productivity comes from pushing ourselves harder, burning the candle at both ends, and tackling more tasks. But what if the key to a happier, healthier life starts before you even get to your goals and conversations—right in the foundation of your daily rhythms and body awareness?
In this episode, you’ll discover why tuning into your body’s core needs is the missing link for emotional safety, deeper relationships, and true productivity. The conversation unveils science-backed strategies and ancient wisdom to help you manage your energy, regulate your nervous system, and build habits that become second nature. You’ll also explore personalized approaches to self-care—so you can stop the cycle of burnout and perfectionism, cultivate more resilience, and create space for meaningful connections every day.
Hadlee Garrison, MPH, is a holistic Health Counselor, behavior change expert, podcaster, and speaker. She’s the creator of the Happy Healthy Habits coaching program, where she helps women optimize their energy levels, regulate their nervous systems, and heal their relationship with their bodies and themselves. With degrees in Biopsychology and Health Education from the University of Michigan, as well as training in Ayurveda, Hadlee blends evidence-based science with holistic modalities to help her clients thrive.
Episode Highlights
04:43 Struggling with body image, emotional eating, and disconnection in early life.
08:40 Discovering Ayurveda and mind-body practices for emotional safety.
12:32 The link between nervous system capacity and relationship conflict.
13:52 Building foundational health habits: Circadian rhythms, sleep, and energy management.
19:27 Prioritizing consistent bedtime for optimal health.
20:35 How personal health habits impact relationship dynamics.
26:22 Energy archetypes: Understanding personal stress patterns.
34:49 Taking small steps and automating self-care habits.
41:39 Oil massage and physical self-love practices for nervous system regulation.
44:13 Resources for discovering your energy archetype and connecting with Hadlee.
Your Checklist of Actions to Take
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Prioritize consistent sleep: Go to bed at the same time every night to support healthy circadian rhythms and overall well-being.
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Establish a simple morning routine: Create morning habits that energize you—this doesn’t mean a lengthy ritual, but something that helps you feel awake and grounded.
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Identify your energy drains and boosters: Pay attention to which tasks or activities drain your energy and which ones replenish it, adjusting your schedule accordingly.
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Automate foundational habits: Focus on making your basic self-care and wellness routines so automatic that they require little mental energy to maintain.
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Start small with new habits: If you’re building a new habit, begin with manageable baby steps to ensure consistency and avoid burnout or overwhelm.
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Incorporate nervous system regulation: After foundational habits are in place, introduce practices like breathwork or somatic exercises, but only as needed—not all day, every day.
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Ask for support from your partner: Communicate with your partner about what helps you regulate—this might be a gentle touch, a walk together, or another soothing gesture during conflict.
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Customize your self-care: Recognize your personal energy archetype and tailor your wellness strategies—whether you need more grounding, invigoration, or soothing—based on your unique tendencies.
Mentioned
Energy Archetype Quiz (link) (quiz)
12 Relationship Principles to Strengthen Your Love (free guide)
Connect with Hadlee Garrison
Websites: happyhealthyhadlee.com
YouTube: youtube.com/@happyhealthyhadlee
Instagram: instagram.com/happyhealthyhadlee
TikTok: tiktok.com/@happyhealthyhadlee
Podcast: Spotify: https://bit.ly/4iGbHZN | Apple Podcast: https://bit.ly/4iHvBDG